Demand for Zambian Coffee Rises

The Japanese market now wants more Zambian coffee. And for that the Coffee Growers Association of Zambia (CGAZ) is thrilled. Zambian coffee is considered as one of the best in African and perhaps among the best in the world at large.

The Japanese External Trade Organisation (JETRO) director of research Akikazu Hamada confirmed this demand. He revealed this while attending a seminar at the Export Board of Zambia (EBZ) offices in Lusaka, Zambia. And the discussion was on the “food and other export opportunities to Japan.”

Mr Hamada, a Johannesburg based diplomat said the demand for Zambian coffee in Japan was increasing. So his organization was in Zambia to assist Zambian coffee exporters to increase their share on the Japanese market. But for what expectations? Up will go the export volumes for Zambia!

Meanwhile Japan will hold a Food exhibition (FOODEX) in February 2006. And Zambian exporters are fortunate. JETRO plans to sponsor the Zambian association of coffee exporters. And luckily Zambia’s agriculture is on the up swing. JETRO was also interested in other products such as paprika. Besides coffee Zambian honey, ornamental fish, sugar and crocodile skins could be exported to Japan.

During the Expo 2005 in Japan products from Zambia attracted a lot of interest. Visitors to the exposition also wanted information on other Zambian goods and services especially about the Victoria Falls the world’s largest curtain of falling water. Besides the abundant wildlife in pristine wilderness the waterfall is Zambia’s safari flag ship.